Today, the Los Angeles Times reported that Toyota Motorcorp will either reconfigure or replace more than 3.8 million gas pedals on Toyota and Lexus vehicles included in a recall announced on September 29, 2009. Toyota initially believed the floor mats in these vehicles could cause the accelerator gas pedal to become "stuck", causing the vehicles to accelerate suddenly.
Beginning in January 2010, Toyota and Lexus owners will be able to take their car to a local dealer for gas pedal reconfiguration or replacement. In some of the vehicles, specifically the Lexus ES 350, Toyota Camry and Toyota Avalon, the shape of the floor surface will also be reconfigured to make additional space between the gas pedal and the floor. Additionally on the Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, Lexus ES 350, Lexus IS 350 and Lexus IS 250, Toyota Motor Corp will install a brake override system to cut engine power when the gas pedal and brake pedal are applied simultaneously.
The recalled vehicles include 2007-2010 Toyota Camry, the 2004-2009 Toyota Prius, the 2005-2010 Toyota Avalon, the 2005-2010 Tacoma, the 2007-2010 Toyota Tundra, the 2007-2010 Lexus ES 350 and the 2006-2010 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350. Toyota and Lexus owners are still strongly advised to take out any driver's floor mat and not replace until repairs and reconfigurations have been made. In a statement, Toyota said, "The safety of our owners and the public is our utmost concern and Toyota has and will continue to thoroughly investigate and take appropriate measures to address any defect trends that are identified." According to the LA Times, an Edmunds.com analyst said the gas pedal modifications proposed by Toyota were "viable solutions."
The recall was announced in September, a month after an off-duty CHP Officer and his wife, daughter, and brother-in law were all killed in a San Diego accident when an accelerator became stuck in a 2009 Lexus ES 350. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has conducted investigations of "stuck accelerators" on eight different Toyota vehicles since 2003.
The Los Angeles defective product attorneys at Estey & Bomberger have represented victims injured in accidents involving defective vehicle parts. If you have been injured or lost a loved one in an accident caused by a defective vehicle part, or the defective design of a vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, or the wrongful death of a family member. If you would like a free consultation about a potential case, contact Estey & Bomberger, LLP at (213) 596-4855.
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